Difference between revisions of "Old Mac"
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| + | ==Background== | ||
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In the time before the coming of the ice there was a village, a simple cluster of huts surrounding a forgotten shrine. The people were Highlanders, or something akin to them. They found safety and comfort in the shrine and built their lives around it, converting it into a communal granary and barn of sorts. They did not know how to honor the old Gods who were once worshiped there, but they enjoyed the smooth stone foundations of the old place. Life was not easy, but it was good. For a time. | In the time before the coming of the ice there was a village, a simple cluster of huts surrounding a forgotten shrine. The people were Highlanders, or something akin to them. They found safety and comfort in the shrine and built their lives around it, converting it into a communal granary and barn of sorts. They did not know how to honor the old Gods who were once worshiped there, but they enjoyed the smooth stone foundations of the old place. Life was not easy, but it was good. For a time. | ||
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Bryce MacDonald would have had a hard time liking his little brother under the best of circumstances. Bryce was difficult and disappointing as an only child, and his brother was better loved and better favored by all. It was Bryce who exposed Jauna as a MacLamore, but rather than casting her out his father ended the exile of the clan. It was no great surprise when on his brother's name-day Old Man Macdonald gave him not only his name but also Bryce's title and inheritance. Bryce left that night. | Bryce MacDonald would have had a hard time liking his little brother under the best of circumstances. Bryce was difficult and disappointing as an only child, and his brother was better loved and better favored by all. It was Bryce who exposed Jauna as a MacLamore, but rather than casting her out his father ended the exile of the clan. It was no great surprise when on his brother's name-day Old Man Macdonald gave him not only his name but also Bryce's title and inheritance. Bryce left that night. | ||
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| + | For sixty long years Bryce stayed gone, and his name was lost from memory. During the festival of the Sun, James MaDonald buried his mother and in her honor renamed himself as James MacLamore. All of his beloved kin followed suit and the name MacDonald was struck down, with only one forgotten vagabond still holding to it. | ||
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| + | Bryce MacDonald had not forgotten though. He traveled, and he searched for the worst magicks. The foulest bindings of nature and death. His return was a horror. First the crops failed. Then the livestock took sick. None could explain the blight, or arrest its spread. Soon it touched the people. The only shelter from the growing evil that stalked the night was the old barn, though none remembered why it would matter. Heroes came to their aid, but they failed. The town fell and was lost to memory of all. | ||
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| + | Even the land itself forgot the nameless town and the roads twisted away. The town drifted into the ethereal mists, unmoored from the realms of men. Yet still, the mists allowed the town to bob and flow, and on strange nights of particular significance it would drift close and lost souls might once more walk the forgotten roads and awaken old thoughts and malices. | ||
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| + | ==Introduction== | ||
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| + | It appears that your map or your tracker has failed you. For several days you have been expected at your initial destination but the woods and the trail that promised safety have betrayed you. The expected landmarks and signposts have not appeared. You should have arrived by now, you have traveled more than the necessary distance and you have not circled back. Rations are low and your destination is still nowhere to be found. | ||
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| + | Proficient trackers may attempt Survival with the following results | ||
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| + | {|class="wikitable" | ||
| + | |DC15||The trail is well worn but there are no discernable human or wagon marks | ||
| + | |+ | ||
| + | |DC20||You find some droppings that appear to be some sort of waterfowl | ||
| + | |+ | ||
| + | |DC25||You find two distinct prints, one a duck and the other a goose, walking side by side | ||
| + | |+ | ||
| + | |} | ||
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| + | Attempting to forage (Survival DC20) allows you to locate what appears to be a cow standing in a meadow. She looks sickly and sluggish but if spooked she will bolt at surprising speed (Stealth DC16 to get within bowshot, DC24 for spear range). If she bolts there will be no trail to follow. If she is shot (AC16) she falls immediately in the tall grass. Instead of a meaty carcass the hunter will find half buried bones. The skull bears a Terran rune that seems to be a ward against death. | ||
Latest revision as of 22:20, 26 May 2019
Background
In the time before the coming of the ice there was a village, a simple cluster of huts surrounding a forgotten shrine. The people were Highlanders, or something akin to them. They found safety and comfort in the shrine and built their lives around it, converting it into a communal granary and barn of sorts. They did not know how to honor the old Gods who were once worshiped there, but they enjoyed the smooth stone foundations of the old place. Life was not easy, but it was good. For a time.
The most prosperous family in the village was Clan MacDonald and when Clan MacLamore rose up against them the patriarch drove Clan MacLamore into the woods. Life was harder for the Maclamores, fending for themselves in the wild but they persisted for three generations. Two things changed the course of events in the quiet town. The first was the untimely passing of the fine lady MacDonald. The second was the arrival of young Jauna MacLamore in the town.
Jauna claimed no clan at first, and her unequaled beauty and grace worked well to quell suspicions. Everyone wanted to accept the sweet lass, to show her kindness and hope for some in kind. None were more infatuated than the grieving Old Man MacDonald. In due time the town had a new Great Lady. Soon after the Old man had a new son. This did not sit well with his existing son.
Bryce MacDonald would have had a hard time liking his little brother under the best of circumstances. Bryce was difficult and disappointing as an only child, and his brother was better loved and better favored by all. It was Bryce who exposed Jauna as a MacLamore, but rather than casting her out his father ended the exile of the clan. It was no great surprise when on his brother's name-day Old Man Macdonald gave him not only his name but also Bryce's title and inheritance. Bryce left that night.
For sixty long years Bryce stayed gone, and his name was lost from memory. During the festival of the Sun, James MaDonald buried his mother and in her honor renamed himself as James MacLamore. All of his beloved kin followed suit and the name MacDonald was struck down, with only one forgotten vagabond still holding to it.
Bryce MacDonald had not forgotten though. He traveled, and he searched for the worst magicks. The foulest bindings of nature and death. His return was a horror. First the crops failed. Then the livestock took sick. None could explain the blight, or arrest its spread. Soon it touched the people. The only shelter from the growing evil that stalked the night was the old barn, though none remembered why it would matter. Heroes came to their aid, but they failed. The town fell and was lost to memory of all.
Even the land itself forgot the nameless town and the roads twisted away. The town drifted into the ethereal mists, unmoored from the realms of men. Yet still, the mists allowed the town to bob and flow, and on strange nights of particular significance it would drift close and lost souls might once more walk the forgotten roads and awaken old thoughts and malices.
Introduction
It appears that your map or your tracker has failed you. For several days you have been expected at your initial destination but the woods and the trail that promised safety have betrayed you. The expected landmarks and signposts have not appeared. You should have arrived by now, you have traveled more than the necessary distance and you have not circled back. Rations are low and your destination is still nowhere to be found.
Proficient trackers may attempt Survival with the following results
| DC15 | The trail is well worn but there are no discernable human or wagon marks | DC20 | You find some droppings that appear to be some sort of waterfowl | DC25 | You find two distinct prints, one a duck and the other a goose, walking side by side |
Attempting to forage (Survival DC20) allows you to locate what appears to be a cow standing in a meadow. She looks sickly and sluggish but if spooked she will bolt at surprising speed (Stealth DC16 to get within bowshot, DC24 for spear range). If she bolts there will be no trail to follow. If she is shot (AC16) she falls immediately in the tall grass. Instead of a meaty carcass the hunter will find half buried bones. The skull bears a Terran rune that seems to be a ward against death.
